Man United’s Struggles Continue as Crystal Palace Punishes Bold Experiment
Manchester United fans were left scratching their heads after yet another frustrating performance at Old Trafford, as Crystal Palace walked away with a 2-0 victory. Ruben Amorim’s tactical gamble—deploying young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a striker—proved disastrous, as the Red Devils failed to muster a meaningful attacking threat.
Just when it seemed like United had turned a corner with three consecutive wins, reality hit hard. They struggled from the start, unable to find any rhythm in the first half. Mainoo, though lively at first, hit the post early on but then faded in his unfamiliar role. United’s inability to break down Palace’s defense meant they went into halftime goalless for the 10th time in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
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Defensively, United were all over the place. Palace had several chances before the break, with Daniel Muñoz and Ismaïla Sarr going close, and Jean-Philippe Mateta forcing a brilliant save from André Onana. The warning signs were there, and United failed to respond.
In the second half, Mateta finally capitalized, tapping in a rebound after a free-kick struck the bar. Things went from bad to worse for United as Lisandro Martínez was stretchered off with an injury, adding to their defensive woes. And in the 89th minute, Mateta struck again to seal Palace’s victory, sending United to their seventh home defeat of the season—tying their worst-ever record in the Premier League era.
For United fans, this was more than just another loss. It was a reminder that their team is still far from finding stability under Amorim. The decision to start Mainoo up front, leaving out both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, backfired spectacularly. The experiment cost United dearly, as they lacked a focal point in attack and barely troubled the Palace defense.
Now, questions will be asked about Amorim’s tactical approach. Was this a desperate move to find a new attacking solution, or just overthinking a simple problem? Whatever the case, United’s home form continues to be a major issue, and if they don’t turn things around quickly, their hopes of European football next season could slip away fast.
Up next, United face Leicester City in the FA Cup—a must-win game to salvage their season. But after another lifeless performance at Old Trafford, confidence is at an all-time low. Can Amorim find a way to inspire his side, or is this the beginning of another downward spiral?
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